Isle Of Man TT Course

Something rather special and single-minded is needed for roads as intimidating as these

- Henry Catchpole

AS YOU REACH FOR THE SWITCH AT THE side of the bed and with a ‘click’ plunge your immediate world into darkness, so the scenes start to flicker in your mind. And as your head sinks into the pillow, taking the strain from your neck and relaxing your shoulders, so the sounds begin to play in your ears. There are nearly always two identical cars because, hey, you’re dreaming and somehow it’s cooler with a pair. And the road is always closed. No traffic. No limits.

Initially you see the two shapes, almost perfect wedges in this instance, as if from a helicopter. Already in full flight they are tearing across a bleak looking landscape. Heathery mountain moorland is spread out around. In the distance there is the sea, but although the sun is out the water has a steely blue hue rather than the turquoise of somewhere tropical.